Colonoscopy

Full disclosure

by Theknotguy - 2019-03-09 08:19:25

Went through the dreaded prep work.  Was telling them I had a pacemaker. "Yeah, yeah, you gotta pacemaker." was the comment.  So I filled out all the forms.  Made it to the session and the nurse was going over the form again.  She asked some question and my response was, "Do broken ribs count?" Yeah they counted.  How did you get the broken ribs?  CPR.  CPR???!!!  Next thing I knew there was all sorts of commotion and I had two doctors in the prep room telling me I had to go to the hospital to have my colonoscopy.  "Look", I said. "I only have 30 feet to go and it's all done!"  Long intense discussion and they finally agreed.  Gave me enough stuff so it didn't bother me and I was watching what was on the screen as they were doing the examination and telling hospital jokes until it was over.  Don't recommend you do it that way but it can be done.  Otherwise it's no big deal.  

So if you're really concerned, get to a live person and ask the questions.  For most people they give you enough Propofol to knock you out for the procedure and let you wake up in recovery.  Since I only had enough to take the edge off I was out in half the time.  Had the whole staff line up to wish me well, but then again they don't get people like me in every day.  

Next time I'm talking to a live person and will be asking questions before I go through all the nasty prep work.  

Hope everything goes well for you.  
 

Hospital for procedure...

by BOBTHOM - 2019-03-10 14:08:55

I just had an upper GI endoscope done and they too insisted it be done in hospital.  Although the propofol is "safe" it is still hard on the heart.  Having the pacemaker is not the issue, it's the underlying condition of your heart or other medical issues you may have.  By doing it in hospital you will be more closely monitored and emergency help will be virtually immediately available should something bad happen.  Good luck with your procedure!

Colonoscopy

by Cheryl B - 2019-03-19 13:57:29

Thanks for your comments.  I actually did not know anyone commented.  I wasn't getting them in my email.  So glad I just checked.  And the information is going to be very helpful.

Thanks again you guys:)

Cheryl B.

Endoscopy aborted

by CyborgMike - 2019-04-10 22:45:13

I recently had an endoscopy at the GI doc.  He had all the history and knew I had a pacemaker and was on Nadolol (Beta blocker). After the first dose of propofol my blood pressure crashed to 70/50 (from 115/75). They aborted the endoscopy and woke me up. 

My Cardiologist, EP, and GI talked and agreed to do it again, after I stopped Nadolol for three days. The second time worked fine and I survived. So, in my case it was a combination of my condition + beta blocker + propofol.  If I had to do it again I would probably do it in the hospital, after reading the comments above. 

colonscopy

by SamanthaS - 2020-01-03 07:59:13

I'm due for one in March.  I just got swapped to an ICD and started beta blocker for pcvs.  I guess this will be more of a discussion than I thought.  Thanks.